What to watch if you liked Hit Man
"Hit Man," directed by Richard Linklater, has been garnering rave reviews since its debut at the Venice International Film Festival. This clever and energetic comedy with a dark edge is now streaming on Netflix. Starring Glen Powell as Gary Johnson, a college professor who moonlights as a hitman in undercover stings, the film takes an unexpected turn when he falls for one of his murder-for-hire suspects, Maddy (played by Adria Arjona). If you enjoyed "Hit Man," here are five movies with similar vibes that you should check out. This is prepared by SSP.
1. "Bernie"
This quirky comedic film, based on another collaboration between Richard Linklater and Texas Monthly writer Skip Hollandsworth, tells the true crime story of an oddball relationship in a Texas town. Jack Black delivers one of his best performances as the sweet mortician Bernie Tiede, who becomes the only companion of eccentric widow Marjorie Nugent (played by Shirley MacLaine). When Marjorie demands too much from Bernie, he resorts to murder, leading to a captivating tale of small-town allure wrapped in dark humor.
2. "Grosse Pointe Blank"
In this action-packed comedy, John Cusack plays Martin Q. Blank, an actual hitman dealing with an existential crisis during his 10-year high school reunion. Mixing business with pleasure, he navigates his old stomping grounds while fending off a rival hitman (Dan Aykroyd) and reigniting a romance with his ex-girlfriend Debi Newberry (Minnie Driver). This movie is an affectionate tribute to the teen movies of Cusack's past, filled with humor and a dash of violence.
5. "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang"
Robert Downey Jr. portrays a thief mistaken for an actor and then for a detective in this twist-filled, noir-inspired comedy. Alongside Val Kilmer as the eccentric private investigator Gay Perry, Downey's character gets entangled in a complex conspiracy while also reconnecting with a former crush (Michelle Monaghan). Shane Black's film skillfully interweaves funny and self-referential jokes with a central mystery, creating an entertaining blend of action and humor.
4. "The Kid Detective"
Imagine what happens when a former child genius, now in their early thirties, refuses to give up solving mysteries. Adam Brody takes on this captivating role in "The Kid Detective," directed by Evan Morgan. Brody's character, Abe Applebaum, runs a struggling detective agency in a town where his abilities are hardly taken seriously. When a teenager named Caroline hires him to investigate her boyfriend's murder, Abe sees this as a chance at redemption. However, the case leads him down a dark and disturbing path. A mix of dark humor and crime thriller, this film offers a unique take on the genre.
5. "Double Indemnity"
Although "Hit Man" veers away from complete film noir, it draws inspiration from vintage Hollywood. Billy Wilder's classic noir film, "Double Indemnity," features two lovers thrust together by chance who embark on a scheme together to escape their dire circumstances. Insurance salesman Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) falls into a lethal plot devised by housewife Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck) to kill her husband and claim the insurance money. As the plan unravels and Phyllis' allure clouds Walter's judgment, the film presents a hard-boiled and compelling narrative with sharp writing and captivating performances.
